Page 2 of The Billionaire's Accidental Daddy Duty
“Mr. Windsor, you’re sitting in on the interview?”
“No, I’m here to escort Isla out.”
“Please.” My voice didn’t sound like my own. “I need this job. I promise I will stay out of your way. And Louisa’s.”
“You know Mrs. Windsor?” Casey furrowed her brows and glanced down at her clipboard again.
“Yes, she’s my sister.” I cleared my throat and then corrected myself. “Half-sister.”
“Wait, what?” Nicolas’s gaze shifted from Casey to me. “As in actually blood related? Not step-sisters?”
I nodded. Growing up, I knew Dad had another family. As I got older, I began to put together the details of what having another family meant. Dad had left his first wife, Louisa’s mom, to be with my mom.Thing was, Louisa and I were the same age. In a way, I knew the truth, but for Mom’s sake, I chose not to ask too many questions. Especially since Louisa’s mom lived in the same neighborhood as us. Louisa and I went to the same school, though we never had any classes together.
But last summer after graduation, I finally found the courage to ask Dad. Were Louisa and I sisters? He said yes. That was it. No explanation. No details. No apologies. Since that day, I had tried to reach out to Louisa, but she wasn’t ready. Based on Nicolas’s reaction, Louisa hadn’t told him we were half-sisters. Did she really not know? She had to at least suspect. The same way I had all these years.
“Yes, actually blood related.” My words were like some magic spell because the minute I said them, Nicolas relaxed his stance and his features softened.
I stood there and met his gaze. He shook his head at me as if he were considering something. “Are you here for Declan’s team?”
“Programmer.”
“She passed her test with flying colors,” Casey added in her British accent. “Her coding was rather elegant.”
I wanted to hug the woman.
“No, she can’t be a programmer.”
“And why not?” I didn’t care if my tone implied he was being a sexist pig.
“I don’t mean it that way.” He waved his hand in dismissal. “I meant the programmer position is a permanent one. If Louisa finds out, I need Declan to be able to fire you on the spot.”
“Excuse me.” Casey stepped in. Her dark stare rivaled the lookNicolas had given me when I first walked in.
What she said. I stood taller and inched toward her. She was clearly on my team.
Nicolas rubbed the stubble on his cheek. “Answer me this. And be honest. Because your next words will decide if you stay or go. Why are you here?”
“A job on Mr. Noble’s team is a great opportunity. I could work anywhere after this.” I inhaled and forced myself to meet Nicolas’s gaze, which had gone a little darker since I started talking. “And also, I figured, if I’m here and Louisa comes in every now and then, I don’t know, she might… We might… You know.” I couldn’t even say the word.
“Become friends.” He smiled.
I could swear the gesture made the room a little brighter.
“Exactly.”
“Okay. Ahh, she’s gonna be mad at me.” He paced the room now, raking a hand through his dark hair. “How about this? Declan is here for a short time. That’s how he likes it. He’s not the type to linger. He’ll be gone as soon as my cyber hack issue is resolved. I’d say he’ll be gone inside of three months.” He was mostly talking to himself now. I could almost see the wheels in his head turning.
“Our record is a month.” Casey gave him a one-shoulder shrug.
“Good. Because my clients are losing their shit over this.” He turned to me both eyebrows raised as if he had had the best idea ever. “You’re hired. I’m promoting you to Declan’s executive admin. Perfect. By the time Louisa finds out you’re here, you’ll be on your way out. If she’s pissed, it won’t be for long. But if your plan works and you become friends…well, she’ll be thanking me.” He adjusted his belt in a way that had me thinking he already had a list of the many ways hewas going to accept his wife’s gratitude for bringing her closer to her half-sister.
I had to admit, I didn’t exactly like this plan. But I did appreciate that he was willing to give me a shot. Even if I would be nowhere near the programming team, I would still be associated with the great Declan Winston Noble. Okay, so the universe hadn’t delivered on what I wanted, but it did find me a job. I had my foot in the door. I could figure out the details of a more permanent position that actually utilized my skills later.
“I’ll take it.” I stepped forward before Casey had a chance to shut down this crazy idea.
“Great. I’ll leave you two to work out the details.” He took out his phone and glared at the screen. “Shit. I gotta go. Welcome to Windsor Financial Holdings.” He nodded on his way out.
“I’m going to pretend the owner of the company didn’t just come in and hijack my interview, then offer you a job that requires not only a meticulous set of skills but also strict professionalism.” She strode behind her desk and started typing on her laptop, cheeks flushed.
